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Younger Children’s Activity Week - 2014

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Written by Gerry Purdue

A Flight Theme

This year's Children's Activity week was the seventeenth organised at Semley for local children since the first one in 1998. Fifty-eight took part this year; all had a great time, learnt a lot and were well behaved; and the weather was kind to us. The children enjoyed a wide range of activities which were, where possible, in keeping with our flight theme; they included cooking, modelling, art, pottery, yoga, aerobics, 'out & about', parachute and other games, and circus skills. We were also pleased to welcome back professional leaders Lizzie Bryant and Nick Crump, who helped each child make a wind-sock and kite.

We had a special treat on the Thursday: we visited Mere Down Falconry (www.meredownfalconry.co.uk) for birds-of-prey demonstrations. Each child experienced close contact with a variety of owls and hawks, and learnt much about them from Allan Gates and his team. On our way back to base, we called in to Chaldicott Barns (Semley) where we were shown around the para-glider factory. The children were most interested in this impressive facility; we thank Gilo Cardozo for making us so welcome.

The week ended with a superb barbecue, expertly cooked by Rev'ds. Steve and John, and supplemented by food donated by parents. There were also lots of sweet and savoury items, all baked by the children under guidance from Rev'd Alice and her body of helpers. Before Rev'd Steve closed the week, we were also delighted to present tokens of our appreciation to Queenie Fletcher who has stepped down from leading our cookery sessions after sixteen years in that role.

The Organising Team - Martha Allfrey, Serena Bowerman, Queenie Fletcher, Alice Goodall, Pat Whitting, Steve Morgan, Gerry Purdue - thank all the children for being so well behaved. We thank, especially, Mrs. Stokes for enabling us to use the school facilities; Semley Village Hall Committee for letting us take over the hall; and all those who so kindly helped before, during, and after the week.

Martha Allfrey has produced a picture CD of this year's activities; please let me know if you'd like one. We are always happy to receive suggestions for future activities; please let me, or any Organising-Team member, know your thoughts. Finally, do take a look in St. Leonard's at this year's artwork 'The Semley Eagle' - the brainchild of Carole Holden, one of our long-time activity leaders.